Chronic Disease & Symptom Optimization in the Care of the Older Adult, U of T Nursing – May 2018

Course Description
This two day course, designed by nurse practitioners specialized in the field of geriatric care, is a companion course to Excelling in the Care of the Elderly. You will further enhance your skill and knowledge in geriatric care, through an in depth focus on special topics such as end of life care (including MAID), deprescribing, and controlled drug and substance use. Ten common chronic diseases including comorbidities and complexities will be reviewed with a focus on relevant pathophysiology, assessment, clinical reasoning, assessment, and management. The course will also address the management of common conditions and symptoms including pain, aging skin disorders, weight loss and nutrition, thyroid disease, influenza, and polymyalgia. Throughout the course, increased emphasis will be placed on application of learning through review of complex cases

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this course, learners will be able to:

Describe the management of common chronic diseases and co-morbid/complex conditions in the older adult.

Identify evidence informed practices in the care of the older adult related to pain management, and end of life care.

Discuss approaches to the management of common conditions and symptoms such as skin disorders, weight loss, dizziness, polymyalgia, influenza, and thyroid disease.

Employ best practices in prescribing and deprescribing for the older adult.